HN says no to parking lots under overpasses

Ha Noi's People's Committee has rejected the Ha Noi War Invalids Joint Stock Company's proposal to set up parking lots under bridges and overpasses in the city. — Photo VNA

HA NOI (VNS) — Ha Noi's People's Committee has rejected the Ha Noi War Invalids Joint Stock Company's proposal to set up parking lots under bridges and overpasses in the city.

Last month, the Ha Noi War Invalids JSC sent a petition to city authorities asking for permission to establish parking lots beneath the overpasses on Belt Road No3 from Giai Phong to Phap Van and beneath the Nga Tu So overpass.

However, their petition was rejected on the grounds of public safety and traffic order.

Nguyen Quoc Hung, vice chairman of the committee, said that the city would not allow parking lots in these areas. He reminded the company about the Ministry of Transport's regulation which banned encroachment on spaces beneath bridges and overpasses, especially ones that could pose fire hazards.

Nguyen Xuan Tan, deputy director of the city's Transport Department, said due to the lack of parking lots in the city, the department had temporarily allowed vehicles to be kept under bridges since 2010.

Organisations licensed to operate parking lots were required to install fire fighting equipment and take full responsibility if a fire started, Tan said.

In addition, the licenses for parking lots at these sites were only valid from three months up to one year, he said.

The temporary parking lots have been criticised by the public as the areas under bridges were left covered in flammable substances such as gasoline and oil.

Residents feared potential fires could damage the bridges, posing a threat to passing traffic and endangering the lives of people in the area.

Some temporary parking lots have also caused traffic accidents as in the case of the Vinh Tuy overpass where drivers did not have a clear view when they were coming out to join traffic.

Following public concerns regarding safety and traffic issues, parking lots under Chuong Duong Bridge and Thanh Tri Bridge were cleared.

Pham Thanh Tung, deputy head of the Department of Urban Traffic, said after they were cleared, areas under bridges and overpasses in the city would be used to plant trees and grass to improve the city's look. — VNS